Have you ever done something like this before?   How did you make sure that you’d follow through?  Let  me know if you have any ideas. I’d love to hear them.

Inhibitors – This section discussed influences that could be negatively affecting my body.  The higher the number, the more of an inhibitor it is.  My top inhibitors were yeast, sensitivities and allergies.  No surprise here.   I long ago realized that I’m sensitive/allergic to certain foods and chemicals and so I’ve just avoided them.  Yeast is another factor that didn’t surprise me.  I’ve tried dozens of yeast products and none of them really worked (I wish I’d known how to choose the right supplements for my body).

Imbalances – My top imbalances were hormone and vitamin/mineral.  Since I’ve had hypothyroid issues, the hormonal imbalances were no surprise.  Ditto on the vitamins and minerals since I have a problem with absorption in some cases.

Organs and Systems – Colon, adrenals, and leaky gut topped the list.

Overall, I was pleased with the results because they confirmed what I already determined by paying attention to my own body and symptoms.  And, the best part is that I’ll feel even better than I already do once I address these issues.

Now what?  I’ll talk about my wellness regimen in future posts.

What’s glaringly obvious is that people continue to fall for things like this and don’t realize that diet and exercise is the only way to permanent weight loss.  Yes, some have had success with this latest procedure, but I wonder how their bellies will look a year from now. Hmmmm……  We’ve seen it time and time again with other “procedures” and each time folks have complained that the weight has returned.

The only way to get rid of fat permanently is to change your lifestyle.  That will never change, no matter what “gimmick” is introduced to the market.

Why did I decide to go through this after my medical ordeal?  Well, I was intrigued by the fact that the results are specific to my body as opposed to others suffering from the same symptoms.  I’ve also had success with homeopathy, which also deals with your specific body and symptoms.  So, I contacted my friend Nancy and she set everything up.

I received a kit in the mail with instructions to collect saliva and urine (okay, I’ve collected samples a million times before so no big deal).  I mailed it in and should be receiving my kit shortly.  Actually, I’m really excited to see the results.

I’ll keep you posted.

Still, there are those who feel that this is government control.  Personally, I think this is an excellent example of when the government should interfere.  Consider that KFC, Burger King, McDonald’s and Rubios are among those fast food chains that don’t use trans fat in their cooking.  They’ve even conducted internal and external taste tests and no one could tell the difference between the two.   Have you noticed the difference when eating there (I don’t eat fast food so I don’t know).

So if the government wants to take control of a situation that helps my health and it doesn’t make a difference to me (in this case no none could taste the difference) then I say have at it!  My guess is that the reason others haven’t followed suit is that it’s cheaper to use trans fat.  I’ve not heard any evidence of this, but usually when something doesn’t make sense all you have to do is follow the money.

Next up….if we’re lucky it’ll be high fructose corn syrup.

Recently, I stumbled across an advertisement for Prevacid24, an over-the-counter proton pump inhibitor used for the treatment of GERD. After seeing the ad – “OTC Prevacid will be on shelves before Thanksgiving heartburn” I thought – “What gives? Isn’t Prevacid available by prescription only?” To answer this question, I turned to the Internet. The information I discovered was actually quite fascinating:

The journey from Rx to OTC…
Pharmaceutical patents have a lifespan of 20 years from the date the patent was filed. As medications near end of their patent, drug companies will often petition the FDA to switch the medication from Rx to OTC status. Why?

Patents are very unique creations. They don’t give the patent holder the right to do something; rather, they prevent others from doing something. When a Rx patent expires, other companies can manufacture the formula as a “generic.” Normally, when a drug goes off patent, its price falls by 25% within the first 6 months; after that, the price is only 20% of what it had been while on patent. Translation: patent expiration can mean a major impact on profits.

While many drug companies employ questionable schemes to protect their sales after patent expiration such as introducing an “extended release” version, or releasing a “new” brand-name that is simply a modification of the old drug, others maintain their slice of the pie by going OTC. (Remember, OTC’s don’t require a visit to the doctor, and are a lot easier for a patient to get their hands on than a generic medication.)

Who decides if a drug should be made OTC?
The FDA regulates OTC medications, just as it regulates prescription pharmaceuticals. In order for the FDA to approve a drug as an OTC, it must find that:

•    The benefits outweigh the risks: In other words, the health benefit from taking the drug is more important than any negative side effects.
•    The drug has a low potential for misuse and abuse. That is, the drug should not be addictive or promote a cheap “high” that may encourage others to overuse it.
•    The consumer can use it for self-diagnosed conditions. In other words, the drug isn’t used for something that requires testing or a doctor’s diagnosis such as high cholesterol. Rather, the drug treats an obvious symptom such as a headache or cough.
•    The drug can be adequately labeled with warnings and instructions for use that are clear and easy to understand without any medical training.
•    The drug does not need a doctor’s supervision.
Since 1975, the FDA has approved 101 ingredients for Rx to OTC status such as Rogaine for hair loss, Aleve for pain, Tagamet for heartburn, and Monistat for vaginal yeast infections; in May, 2009 Prevacid for heartburn was added to this list.

So, what’s the problem?
A few concerns:

•    Many people have the impression that OTC’s are “safer” than their Rx counterparts though this isn’t necessarily the case.
•    The potential for OTC medication abuse is real. One in 10 teens have used OTC cough medicines to get high, and 28% know someone who has tried it. Dex, Skittling, Tussing, Robo-Tripping, Triple Cs, are all slang words used for DXM (dextromethorphan) cough medication abuse.

However, my real “beef” with the Rx to OTC switch is this: lifestyle changes are never addressed when a patient self medicates. Doctors play a vital role in encouraging patients to make healthy lifestyle changes such as exercising, losing weight, kicking the tobacco habit, and eliminating stress.  While I’m all for cutting out the middleman when it comes to retail, I have to draw the line where medications are concerned.

So, how do you feel about the Rx to OTC switch? Yay, or nay? Drop me a line, or share your comments – I’d love to hear your feedback.

Related Posts: A Healthy Shift in Perspective

The only potential problem I can foresee is that they shouldn’t limit the requirement to those with a higher BMI.  Why not make everyone take the course?  Students with a BMI of over 30 have already started complaining and there have even been complaints from those that won’t be required to take the course.  The complaints are just what you’d expect…..adults can make their own decisions….how can the school interfere  with the personal lives of it’s students….if students choose to be fat then let them be fat (not my words).

Yes, adults should be allowed to make their own decisions.  But think of all those people who smoke a pack a day and then sue the tobacco company when they get cancer.  At what point is an adult FULLY responsible for their health?  How can we say something is bad for you (actually prove that it can kill you) and then allow you to sue a company  when what we predicted would come true actually comes true?

The same holds true for obesity.  It’s been proven that obesity can lead to heart disease and  hypertension just to name a few.  In fact, obesity related illnesses costs us billions of dollars each year and shows no signs of stopping!

Okay, so we allow students to be whatever weight that they want.  What happens when they get sick from an obesity related illness….who pays the bill then?

I don’t know the answer here.  Certainly, I think everyone should be allowed to make their own decisions, but as we learn more about how our lifestyle affects our health, isn’t it reasonable to have people take precautions before it gets too late?

What do you think?

I’m not a mother, so I can only imagine how painful it is to watch your child suffer from autism or anything else for that matter.  However, I think someone needs to get through to this mother fast!  As a mother, it’s her job to protect her child to the best of her ability. Unfortunately, this mother has chosen to make a decision for her son that will have negative long term effects on his life.

Let’s face it people, when you’re high you don’t feel anything – period!  Marijuana, medical or otherwise, doesn’t do anything but deaden your senses -  not to mention your brain cells.  In the long run, medical marijuana is a band aid that has long term consequences for frequent users.

What this mother is advocating is getting her child high so that SHE doesn’t have to deal with his situation. As a result, she’s setting a precedent for what could become a dangerous practice.  If medical marijuana is allowed to be used for autism, what will prevent mothers from using it for ADHD or any other number of conditions?

Can someone please call Child Protective Services!

Related Posts:  A Healthy Shift in Perspective

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